Have
you ever wondered why your parents went through all of that trouble to tell you
about Santa Claus and being good in order to receive presents? Was it all an
elaborate scheme that all parents had everywhere to get their children to
behave albeit for a short period of time? Well as we all became older and
became parents we continued to tell our children about Santa Claus… and the
story… just continued!

But wait… hold on there… STOP THE BUS!!! A story this
elaborate, so contrived, that has gone on for I don’t know how long has to have
some basis of fact? Doesn’t it? Well I’m here to tell you IT DOES!! According
to History.Com
the legend of Santa Claus goes back to the third century! Originally Santa was
a monk named St.
Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra
in (modern day) Turkey. He was much admired for his piety and kindness, and It
is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the
countryside helping the poor and sick. Over the course of many years, St. Nicholas's
popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors.
In fact his feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death on December
6. This day was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or
to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in
Europe.

So,
when and how did he become Santa Claus? According to History.Com, the name
Santa Claus evolved from Nick's Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form
of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). In addition the legend grew to its
current imagery when in 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister,
wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled "An Account
of a Visit from St. Nicholas." Moore's poem, which he was initially
hesitant to publish due to the frivolous nature of its subject, is largely
responsible for our modern image of Santa Claus as a "right jolly old
elf" with a portly figure and the supernatural ability to ascend a chimney
with a mere nod of his head!

As we
celebrate Christmas don’t forget the reason for the season… a celebration of
the birth of Christ (for all of us Christians) and a celebration of family and spirit
of giving for all of us no matter your religious beliefs and/or spiritual connection.
At this time we need to be especially kind, helpful and loving to everyone we
meet and interact with. Remember when the time comes share the “true” story of
Santa Claus and his love and generosity toward all!